Financial Aid & Scholarships
COVID-19 and Work Study Update
The Department of Education has released guidance to schools regarding whether students can continue to submit timesheets for scheduled hours in the event that a school does not close but moves all classes to an online format. They CAN! According to the Department of Education, the student can be paid for the Federal Work Study (or Montana Work Study) hours he, she, or they were scheduled to work for the spring semester. Per ED, the school can have the student submit a timesheet for the hours he or she was scheduled to work and pay Work Study wages based on that.
It is important that students do NOT submit timesheets for hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours. If a student worker does not have scheduled hours, students can be paid at the average number of hours the student has worked so far this spring term.
Please visit the Federal Student Aid website for updates on COVID-19.
CARES Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act provides emergency assistance to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations resulting from the COVID-19 health crisis. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.
As a student enrolled at Montana State University Billings during the spring 2020 semester and one who has completed the Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA), you could be eligible for a CARES Act grant provided through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Complete the CARES ACT application as soon as possible as this grant can help provide you with some financial relief.
- MSU Billings has signed and returned the Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Studentsand intends to provide at least 50 percent of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants directly to students. MSU Billings Chancellor Dan Edelman submitted the signed Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students on April 14, 2020.
- MSU Billings will receive $2,193,195 in two disbursements. The first of $1,096,975 has been received on May 4, 2020 and is currently offered to eligible students.
- As of May 19, 2020, MUS Billings has awarded 120 students for a total of $81,625 of the first CARES Act allocation.
- Federal Work Study to SEOG CARES assistance: MSU Billings has awarded 200 students for a total of $100,000.
- MSU Billings has identified 961 FAFSA-eligible students who enrolled for the spring 2020 semester. The first phase of awarding will go to our highest need students with a $0 Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The total number of $0 EFC eligible students is 532. Per federal and state guidelines issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE), awards will have a general maximum of $800. Exceptional circumstances will be reviewed on a case by case where higher amounts will be considered.
- As of June 24, 2020 - MSUB has awarded 402 students with a total of $270,655 in CARES Act Section 1800 (a) (1) funding. This is an average award per student of $673.27.
- The MSU Billings awarding process will progress in stages in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE) guidelines.
- The awarding priorities will be:
- First Priority: Spring 2020 students- highest need students first, mid-range EFC, then all other FAFSA eligible students.
- Second Priority: Summer 2020 students
- Third Priority: Fall 2020 students
- Fourth Priority: establish criteria if funds are available
- The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act provides emergency assistance to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations resulting from the COVID-19 health crisis. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.
University Cost Comparative
Other MT 4 yr. Universities Average
Tuition & Fees - $7,371
Housing & Meal Plan - $9,924
Annual Parking - $184
Best Value - $17,479
MSUB
Tuition & Fees - $5,970
Housing & Meal Plan - $6,680
Annual Parking - $85
Best Value - $12,735
Savings
Tuition & Fees - $1,401
Housing & Meal Plan - $3,244
Annual Parking - $99
Best Value - $4,744
SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $18,928
Other MT 4 yr. Universities Average
Tuition & Fees - $13,600
Housing & Meal Plan - $10,040
Annual Parking - $184
Best Value - $23,824
MSUB
Tuition & Fees - $8,340
Housing & Meal Plan - $6,680
Annual Parking - $85
Best Value - $15,105
Savings
Tuition & Fees - $5,260
Housing & Meal Plan - $3,360
Annual Parking - $99
Best Value - $8,719
SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $34,873
*Note WUE at MSUB is guaranteed based on residency. Out-of-state students from a non WUE state are eligible for the Explore Montana Scholarship
Other MT 4 yr. Universities Average
Tuition & Fees - $24,856
Housing & Meal Plan - $10,040
Annual Parking - $184
Best Value - $35,080
MSUB
Tuition & Fees - $19,550
Housing & Meal Plan - $6,680
Annual Parking - $85
Best Value - $26,315
Savings
Tuition & Fees - $5,306
Housing & Meal Plan - $3,360
Annual Parking - $99
Best Value - $8,765
SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $35,059
Tuition & Fees - $30,911
Housing & Meal Plan - $11,190
Annual Parking - $33
Best Value - $42,134
MSUB
Tuition & Fees - $5,970
Housing & Meal Plan - $6,680
Annual Parking - $85
Best Value - $12,735
Savings
Tuition & Fees - $24,941
Housing & Meal Plan - $4,510
Annual Parking - $52
Best Value - $29,399
SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $117,596
City College Cost Comparative
Other MT 2 yr. College Average
Tuition & Fees - $3,497
Books & Supplies - $1,238
Room & Board - $8,305
Best Value - $13,039
City College
Tuition & Fees - $3,960
Books & Supplies - $1,540
Room & Board - $7,070
Best Value - $12,570
SAVINGS OVER 1 YEAR $938
Average of 3 For Profits
Tuition & Fees - $35,542
Books & Supplies - $1,967
Room & Board - $10,274
Best Value - $47,783
City College
Tuition & Fees - $7,920
Books & Supplies - $3,080
Room & Board - $14,140
Best Value - $25,140
SAVINGS OVER 2 YEARS $22,643
*For profit costs are challenging to find -- many do not have their own housing - but give average costs - books & Supplies are not consistent. Tuition is subject to change. Additional fees may apply. Estimated annual costs are based on 2019-2020 costs. (WyoTech - WY, Pheonix UTI - AZ, Lincoln Tech - CO)
What's New?
File your 2020-2021 FAFSA today! The 2020-2021 FAFSA is now available and MSUB's priority filing date is December 1, 2019. Remember the FAFSA will ask for 2018 tax information (NOT 2019).
The 2020-2021 MSUB General Scholarship Application will open November 1st, 2019 and the priority application date is February 1st, 2020.
Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Beginning with the 2018-2019 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. See the scholarship application for more information.